Chasing Giants: In Search of the World’s Largest Freshwater Fish

Chasing after the largest fresh water fish is an endeavor undertaken by research biologist Zeb Hogan with the exploits recorded by filmmaker Stefan Lovgren. This effort turned into an adventure that led these researchers to the rivers, lakes, and other fresh water sites in Asia, South America, North America and Australia.

Check out the giant Mekong catfish or the Piranha of the Amazon, be cautious when measuring the giant stingrays of Cambodia, the gnarled-toothed sawfish in the southern hemisphere, or the alligator gar on the Trinity River in Texas. Swim with the goonch, in the deep rocky pools of the Ramganga River in Himalayan India.

The reader can travel with the authors to exotic-sounding places with little known river names as they search for the largest freshwater fish native to that locale. Looking at fabled sea creatures, it is suspected that the Loch Ness Monster was actually an oversized catfish magnified by the imagination. Loss of these mammoth-sized sea creatures and also the dangers threatening aquatic biology through overfishing, man-made impediments to migrations, pollutions and other problems are noted in this adventure searching for giant fresh water fish.

It is a story of especial interest to those engaged in the fishing sport, although maps showing the rivers and their routes would have been helpful.